Peace
20 x 26
Charcoal
Charcoal
Horses have always been my favorite to draw. They were the first and main thing that inspired me to pick up a pencil as a child. Their bright eyes; pointy, expressive ears; shiny muscles; flowing tails; and unique personalities make them a favorite of artists world wide. They are herd animals and are usually bunched up in heat, or cold, or wind, or flies, or just socially. I loved doing this piece with different personalities, conformations, and hair colors.
Home From the Line
24 x 18
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
So the Snow Falls
12 x 12
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
This was a technical test piece, exploring various ways of altering values using brushes, erasers, knives, and white charcoal.
The horse depicted is a favorite among my models. Ol' Blue has the longest, most luxurious mane and tail. It can be impossible to keep it brushed out while working cattle. |
Bright Eyes
11 x 14
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
|
The Calling
30 x 15
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
One of the greatest blessings in life is to know your calling. Whether that be spiritual or physical, it drives daily purpose and intention. Some people are called to the seemingly mundane, others to lofty heights. I pray that you know your calling or find it, and know your purpose for your effort.
My brother-in-law is always a willing model for my work! I feel strongly that I, as an artist, cannot use a model in a way that is inconsistent with who they are as a person. An image looks jarring otherwise. In this case, my brother-in-law daily lives his calling. His love for agribusiness and cattle wakes him up (and keeps him awake!) every day pursuing his passion. |
Breaking to Become
18 x 24
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
A horse is said to have to be "broken" to be rideable. "Breaking colts" is a typical phrase. No matter your feelings on the terminology itself, a horse has to surrender its wildness or independence and choose to participate in the team sport of riding. In being "broken" a horse "becomes" something else, a partner.
As humans we often cannot achieve our full potential without "breaking" to become something better. A relationship with Christ is similar. One must surrender their wildness and choose to participate in God's plan instead. Matthew 21:44 says "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Because God is all powerful, unlike a horse, a person choosing to not surrender does not outwit God; it just delays the end result. It is better to be broken to become something powerful.
As humans we often cannot achieve our full potential without "breaking" to become something better. A relationship with Christ is similar. One must surrender their wildness and choose to participate in God's plan instead. Matthew 21:44 says "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Because God is all powerful, unlike a horse, a person choosing to not surrender does not outwit God; it just delays the end result. It is better to be broken to become something powerful.
Quiet Professional
21 x 30
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
Bits and bridles are usually thought of as the control of a horse, but at a certain point they are just communication tools between two partners working together. This piece celebrates that relationship.
The Watcher
16 x 20
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
All Live Where the River Goes
24 x 18
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
Ezekiel 47:9
And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. This passage speaks of the blessing those exposed to the Word of God will receive. What a wonderful image it is, that as the river flows out, anything that touches it will be awoken and have new life. |
Hope Beyond Dry Grass
36 x 24
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
This is the largest piece I have done this year, and of a familiar subject, my sister Heidi. I think there's never really an end to the things we can learn, even in a medium and a subject we have done before. This piece speaks to the God-given gift of optimism even in the face of opposing circumstance. Cattle people know this hope well. Every year they pray for rain, but not too much, and for warmth, but not too much, and cold, but not too much. Their home and their economy is tied to the sky and the favor thereof. Praise God for the hope He gives beyond dry grass.
|
Point Arena Tree
12 x 9
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
Sword of the West
8 x 10
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
Bosal Knot
12 x 9
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
Mark and Dawn
24 x 24
2023
Charcoal
Sold
2023
Charcoal
Sold
Hyer Boots
24 x 24
2023
Charcoal on board
Sold
2023
Charcoal on board
Sold
|
The Hyer boot company operated in the 1900's in Olathe, Kansas. This drawing pays homage to these beautiful handmade boots. Note the intricate stitching and phoenix inlays. It was such a pleasure to explore these different textures in leather, wood, and rawhide.
It's been said that cowboying is poetry without an audience If that's true, their boots must hold these poems. Their lines worn and stitched into them like words written on a page. These are Hyer Boots and they tell the story of the family that started it all. CH Hyer invented the cowboy boot in 1875 and his great grand daughter's family commissioned this piece in honor of a new story.... After nearly 50 years, their family is relaunching the boot company and reviving a part of Western history that has been too long forgotten. 
|
Management
6.5 x 12.5
2023
Charcoal
Sold
2023
Charcoal
Sold
|
Fresh Powder
18 x 24
2023
Charcoal
Sold
2023
Charcoal
Sold
Molly
12 x 12
2023
Charcoal
Sold
2023
Charcoal
Sold
The Hanging Scarf
30 x 15
2023
Charcoal
Sold
2023
Charcoal
Sold
Cattleman
8 x 10
2023
Charcoal on board
Sold
2023
Charcoal on board
Sold
Dirt in the Rowels
14 x 11
2023
Varnished Charcoal on Panel
2023
Varnished Charcoal on Panel
|
|
Clearing the Cedars
10 x 15
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
Weathered Many Miles
12 x 9
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
This saddle was used a lot, for a long time. You don’t see many saddles that have been ridden for so many miles that all the tooling has been worn smooth, or completely off. It brings such unique textures!
|
Silver Silence
14 x 11
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
We Are All of Dust
20 x 30
2023
Charcoal
Permanent collection at the Mountain Oyster Club
2023
Charcoal
Permanent collection at the Mountain Oyster Club
I have always been struck by the Bible verses describing man as being of dust and air. Job 34:14-15 says
"If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust." I take comfort in these because we are the dust of His hand and in this understanding, all things are His and He is as capable of changing one thing as He was of creating me. If He cares for the sparrows and the lilies, then He cares for my concerns as well.
"If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust." I take comfort in these because we are the dust of His hand and in this understanding, all things are His and He is as capable of changing one thing as He was of creating me. If He cares for the sparrows and the lilies, then He cares for my concerns as well.
A Threat and a Promise
18 x 27
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
|
"The first rancher I can remember was a tall man riding past our home on the upper Niobrara River. He sat his saddle so the fringe of his gauntlets barely stirred in the long, easy trot, his horse a fine star-faced, well-coupled black, spirited but not shying from the small girl who ran from her grandmother's grasp to see." -from Mari Sandoz's foreword of her book "Cattlemen"
Mari was my great-great-aunt. She saw the early days of ranching in Nebraska. It doesn't look a lot different now. This is an interpretation of her description, except with a fine lady astride the well-coupled black.
Mari was my great-great-aunt. She saw the early days of ranching in Nebraska. It doesn't look a lot different now. This is an interpretation of her description, except with a fine lady astride the well-coupled black.
Girl in the Light
9 x 12
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
|
By The Sword
14 x 11
2023
Charcoal
2023
Charcoal
|
|